6 | UK News
TDUK updates members on progress at AGM
Above: The TDUK AGM in central London
Timber Development UK (TDUK) has updated its members on progress made since the completion of its merger with TRADA a year ago.
In the setting of The Globe Theatre overlooking the River Thames, TDUK chairman Chris Sutton told the 40-strong meeting that the organisation had received positive feedback about its progress at events and exhibitions across the UK. Highlights shared on the day included the recent addition of engineered wood statistics to TDUK’s regular UK timber industry import/export bulletins; taking over the running of the Wood Awards; lobbying efforts with politicians to advance timber’s cause; and the launch of a Merchant Guide to Selling Timber. TDUK CEO David Hopkins said the organisation’s mission to connect the supply chain, lead best practice and accelerate a low carbon future was continuing, explaining that TDUK had published 339 resources, 161 case studies and held 15 webinars.
It has published Timber Typologies in association with Waugh Thistleton Architects as a guide to using timber in construction and addressing misunderstandings about the material (see p66). Two further books will focus on timber policy and low carbon. Jack Clappen, TDUK policy and communications executive, said TDUK was lobbying on the key subjects such as net zero and building safety, challenging policy makers on some of the rules and recommendations on combustible material use in construction following the Grenfell fire.
Mr Clappen said TDUK was focusing these lobbying efforts more on Labour shadow ministers as it was felt Labour was more likely to take power after the next election. Work with the APPG for the Timber Industries resulted recently in a new report ‘Timber Construction: Barriers and Solutions’, looking into recommendations to expand low-carbon timber construction in the UK.
Other TDUK work includes the University Design Challenge competition, plus the Timber Technology Engineering Design courses – in partnership with the New Model Institute for Technology & Engineering and Edinburgh Napier University (see p14). Liam Macandrew, TDUK head of digital and content, revealed that TDUK is currently building a new digital online directory, while Laura Qualters was introduced as the new membership development manager.
DHH Panel Products rebrands
DHH Panel Products has announced a rebranding and the launch of its new website.
The rebranding from DHH Timber to DHH
Panel Products signifies a milestone for the company. The Purfleet-based business was founded over 30 years ago by David Francis and Derek Fletcher. Now the next generation is taking the helm, with Ben Francis as managing director and the late Derek Fletcher’s daughters taking key roles within the organisation. They felt it was the perfect time for a fresh identity that accurately reflects the core business. The new name, DHH Panel Products, reinforces the company’s commitment
TTJ | July/August 2023 |
www.ttjonline.com
to provide an extensive range of raw, phenolic, lacquered and veneered panel products. While birch plywood remains a specialty, the company has expanded its offerings to include other quality plywood products, such as Italian poplar, Douglas fir, eucalyptus and okoume cores. The new website at www.
dhhpanelproducts.co.uk features a user- friendly Product Finder tool, enabling visitors to match product requirements with suitable options from DHH’s stock range. A dedicated Downloads section is also available, facilitating easy access to product brochures, DoP’s and supportive technical information.
Pasquill invests further £3.6m in 2023
Leading UK trussed rafter manufacturer Pasquill is investing a further £3.6m in its sites this year.
The outlay is part of a multi-million- pound strategic investment programme that includes £4.5m spent in 2022 and an additional £6m to be spent in 2024. The outlay aims to upgrade facilities, improve operations, reduce waste and enhance the customer experience.
A £500,000 machinery upgrade at Stoney Stanton forms a part of the investment and is part of the next phase at the site following the installation of the Hundegger TurboDrive in 2022.
Already in place at the Bodmin and Redhill sites, the Hundegger will increase capacity, reliability and quality while reducing waste by 8%.
Meanwhile, a fifth £185,000 AV Birch Uni-Roll will be installed at the Inverness site. The Uni-Roll has been designed to work in tandem with a planned glulam cutting line and cutting table, ensuring seamless integration within the facility. In addition to the Uni-Roll, Pasquill has forecast a circa £600,000 investment this year for a dedicated JJI Joist line at the Stoney Stanton site.
The company has also invested £450,000 in four electric multi-directional Combilift forklift trucks to improve materials handling at the Redhill site. Office expansions at Chorley and Bodmin, costing £1.4m and £160,000 respectively, have also taken place. Looking to the future, the team is currently laying the groundwork for the completion of a £6m project in 2024, this will see the business install a Randek AutoEye line at Redhill – claimed to be the UK’s first automated truss production line. The system streamlines the manufacturing process by visually identifying roof trusses and automatically picking, placing, positioning and pressing nail plates.
□ The TTJ Awards 2023 Voted Categories shortlist has been released and can be viewed at
https://awards-ttj.ttjonline.com. Who will be this year’s Timber Trader of the Year? The event, which is also celebrating the 150th anniversary of TTJ, will be held on September 15 at the Hilton London Bankside. For tickets contact Chidi Adilih at:
chidi.adilih@
ttjonline.com / 020 7406 6739. For more on the TTJ Awards see p36.
UK News
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